Artificial limb



5.192% y 1,504,12l R. R. HARRxs ARTIFICIAL LIMB O riginal Filed Sept. 25 191'? 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug.' 5, 1924.' LSMZ R. R. HARRIS ARTIFICIAL Lm Original Filed Sept. 25 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l' 1f. M

Aug. 5, 1924.. 1,504,121

R. R. HARRIS ARTIFICIAL LIMB i'ghal Filed sept. 25 1917 5 sheets-sheet 5 I l l. /02

R. R. HARRIS ARTFICIAL LIMB original Filed sept. 25 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 5, 1924.

R. R. HARRIS ARTIFICIAL LIMB Original Filed Sept. 25, 1917 Oli/153mm@ 5 sheetssn; s

ROMAINE R. HARRIS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND INTESNF. ASSIGNMENTS, T NATURAL FUNCTION LIIWBS COMPANY, A CORPORATION.

ARTIFICIAL LIIVIB.

Application filed September 25, 191'?, Serial No. 193,196. Renewed December 18, 1922.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ROMAINE R. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Artificial Limb, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to artificial limbs,in cluding the arm and hand, and has for; its

object to produce a substantial, light and inexpensive substitute for the natural hand and arm, in which all of the natural movements of the human limb may be simulated, in which perfect ventilation and comfort may be afforded the wearer, and which may be adapted for use as a right or left member.

My invention comprises a shoulder section, an arm section consisting of the humerus and radius, and a hand section comprising the palm and phalanges; all operable and controllablewas hereafter pointed out, by the stump and shoulders, to produce the movements peculiar to the natural hand and arm.

Heretofore artificial arms have comprised a wooden shell or other rigid enclosure, in which was contained the operating mechanism.

These limbs are heavy and awkward and "50 restricted in movement, in addition to allowing of no freedom of movement akin to the natural arm, and hence produce discomfort and are a noticeable burden to the user.

The present invention comprises a combia5 nation of simple elements, independently and simultaneously co-operating to effect flexibility of the joints and a wide range of movements including that of elevating the arm and hand above the head without inter- 40 fering with the successful operation of the phalanges of the hand.

Other objects will appear from the subjoined specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan view of the hand.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through approximately the center of the hand shown in Fig. 1.

Fig.,3 is a section of one of the fingers.

erating cord, and the spring to hold the locking means in inoperative position.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of Ethe shoulder attachment and cage.

Fig. 9 is a front View of the shoulder attachmentand cage, and Fig. 10 is a view showing the cage attached to the body of a person.

As will appear hereinafter, the humerus section, radius section and portion of the hand are represented by a jointed element, operable similarly to the natural members, and encased by a light covering, representative of the natural flesh portion, and with respect to which covering the jointed element is freely and independently movable. In the following descriptive treatise of the various parts and their relation, each will be detailed under a separate heading.

The hand and wrist.

Fig. l illustrates a form of hand and wrist construction embodying the principles of my invention.

The fingers 1 are pivoted in the forward end of a suitable support 2, which may represent the general structure and contour of a hand, and which is preferably attached in rigid fashion to the flattened portion 3 of a 'bar'3. Gn said bar 3, and in guideways 4,

move the jaw 6 toward the stationary jaw 7. Ordinarily the jaws lie practically in a horizontal plane, (assuming the position of the hand to be horizontal), but when gripping an object, rise tol the limitof movement of the hinges. n Such operation of the movable jaw 6 occurs simultaneously with the opera tion of the fingers, but may also occur independently of the operation of the fingers, as` may the fingers b'e operated also inde"- pendently of or simultaneously with the Op; eration of the jaw, as hereinafter shown.

n The fingers 1 are.pivotally mounted on a rod 11, which entends approximately through the center of the first' phalanges 12- of each finger. These first phalanges 12, are sock- Veted, as at 13, to accommodate the second phalanges 13, which are pivotally fastened to the first' phala-nges, and the second phalanges 14 are socketed, asy alt 15, to accomf modate thethird phalan'ges 16, which are pivotally attached to the second phalanges. Inand below the'central plane o-f each phalanges 12, isla bore or passageway, as shown in Fig. 3, in each of which is positioned a rod 17, 18, 19, and 20, connected to a main cross bar 21. To each end of said rods 17, 18, 19 and 2O is loosely attached an operating rod 22, 23, 24 and 25, extending freely through a bore in and below the pivotal connection of each of the second phalanges 14; and to the respective ends of the rod 22, 23, 24 and 25, areloosely connected acuminate studs 26, 27, 28 and 29, which penetrate into the third phalanges 16, below the pivotal center thereof.

.As will be seen from Fig. 1, the location j of the joints of the various rods with relation to the different phalanges is such that the'third or terminal phalanges 16, is first. operated, and then the second in immediate succession. The first phalanges 12 are operated by rods 30 and 31, pivotally carried in levers 32 and 33, on a shaft 34, about which is coiled a spring 35, that holds the finger phalanges in normally open position. This spring is also coiled about the post 9, and terminates in engagement with the karm 10, whereby the cam 8 on the post is held in iuoperative position.

Obviously the movement of the rods 3() andy 31 is communicated to the finger phalanges,V Y; On'the end of the arm 10, and onto thel end of: the lever 33, is fastened a cord,.cable or other flexible strand 36, the loop 36 resulting from such fastening of the ends of the flexible. strand, being engaged by a sheavew37, in a block 38.

When such block is drawn, as by a. cord 3 9,looped over the shoulder 40, of the stump ormaimed member, as seen in Fig. 9, the arm 10Jwill firstbe operated, it transferring its rotatory motion to the cam 8, by which the movable jaw is slid along the guideways toward the stationary jaw. When the jaw 6 has been moved to its farthermost position, the continued pull on the flexible strand 36, will operate the levers 32 and 33, which thereupon force the rods 30 and 31 and the transversely connected cross bar 21, forwardly, and producing by such forward niotion sequentially the operation of the third, second-and first phalanges.` Upon releasing the flexible 4strand 36 from tension, thev parts all assume their normal positions under the influence of the spring 35.

The first phalange 41, of the thumb is pivotally joined to a metacarpal section 42, while the second phalange 43 is pivotally fastened to the first phalange 41, the operating means for the thumb, consisting of the connected units A, being pivotally attached tq the rod 30, 31, wherethrough such units are moved simultaneously with the movement of the various phalanges` of the fingers.

'As will beV plainlyV apparent from the showing, the mounting `of the fingers and thumb, is such that they may be readily and quickly transposed, and such capability renders easy their adaptation for either Vthe right or the'left hand, an advantage wholly eliminating the necessity, at presentl un avoidable, of making up separately all parts for the arms. The removal of the .rod 11, and a few other obvious changes of minor importance enables this transposition of the Y fingers and thumb without difficulty or the exercise of skill. i

The slide 5 is held incontact with the cam 8 by a spring 44.

The wrist joint.

The bar 3 is provided with a reduced threaded portion` 45, .forengagement by a 4ball 46, Vhoused in a socket 47, and grooved radially and horizontally, as at 48. Below Vsaid ball 46, is a locking means 49, which may consist of a dished diskhaving a plurality of concentric steps 50,V arranged for en:- gagement with Vthe grooves 48 in said ball and holding the hand in anyposition to which it may be adjusted by theV means presently described. l

This dished disk 49, isf-provided with oppositely disposed pins 51 and 52, the lattery being longer than theV former and both opi erating in inclined ways 53 and 54, respectively, on opposite sides of the socket v47, to move the disk into locking or unlocking po'.- sition. Onto the longer pin 52, is attached an operating cord 55, which runs over a stud 56, onthe socket 47 and then connects with the main operating cord or fiexible'device 39, whereby the locking of the hand occurs simultaneouslyV or slightly in advance of the operation of the fingers.

rI Dhe socket47, is tightly fitted into a shell 57, which holds the projecting pin 52 of the locking means in position, and which is fastened to the other end of said bell crankV 6l and serving to move the hand to any de! sir-ed position. This cord 63, is connected to and controllable by the movement of a paddle 64, pivotally mounted in the floor of a shoulder cage 66, and arranged in the path of movement in one direction of the stump.

The return of the hand to normal position l? is accomplished by a spring 67, connected to the member 59, and an extension 68 on said housing 47.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate different views of the balls and sockets, and throughout the specification and wherever they are duplicated as parts of the invention, theywill be referred to only generally, the foregoing detailed description of one such universal joint suliicing for all.

l/Vhen the tension on the cords connected to the longer of the pins 52, of the locking means, is released, the locking means returns to normal position automatically under the infiuence of a spring 67, shown` in Fig. 7.

The radius.

The radius comprises a bar 58, provided with a'plurality of series of annular abutments 68, severally consisting of two and between each series and loosely encircling said bar is a ring 69 connected by radial spokes 70 to an outer ring 71, whereon is fitted a covering- 71 of light material representing theieshy part of the arm. The bar' 58 ,is slidable in and relatively to the rings 71 thereon, and hence the covering will retain its form and remain in set position during any of the numerous movements of the arm. Eyelets 72 may be provided on the bar 58, for threading the various cords or tables and preventing entanglement within the covering.

The radius bar 58 is provided with threads 78, arranged for engagement by a cap 74, fitting snugly over a socket 75, carrying a ball 76, lock 77, and other parts as hereinbefore described, the lock 77 beingy operated by a cord 78, attached to the longer pin 79 and to one end of a paddle 80, pivotally mounted in the Hoor 65, of the shoulder cage 66, and arranged in the path of movement in another direction of the stump.

On the bar V58 is a hook 81, onto which is attached a band or strip 82 of flexible material, as canvas 'or leather, which is adapted to be extended preferably about the arm opposite the maimed one, or inany other manner, for liftingthe forearm.

Screwed into or otherwise secured to the ball 76, is a short joint 83, `that is pivotally attached to one end of a bar 84, representing the humerus. Such pivotal connection at the elbow permits of full movement of the forearm relatively to the humerus, while the ball 76 and socket 75, provides for a universal movement in any direction, simultaneously with or independently of the pivotal connection.

T he kamera-s.

On the bar 84, is riveted a strip 85 of metal, bent upon itself at substantially right angles and provided near the end thereof with a slot 86, through which the band or leather strip 82, aforementioned, is arranged to pass. On the upper side of said strip 85, is a boxing 87, in which is pivotally mounted a lock bar 88, having an opening 89 near the end thereof, the inner edge of the opening being on or nearly on a line with the outer edge of the slot 86. The band 82 passes through the opening 89, in, and is arranged to be wedged and held by, saidlock bar 88, when weight or pull is exerted on the strip 82. u

The lock bar 88 is removed from engaging contact with the band 82 by a cord 90 operated by a bell crank lever or paddle 91, pivoted on the floor 65 of the shoulder cage 66, and controllable by the movement of the stump in still another direction.

A plurality of series of abutment-s 92, severally consisting of two, is formed on said bar 84, and between each series and loosely encircling said bar is a ring 93, connected by radial spokes 94 to an outer ring 95, supporting a covering of light material 95 representing the fleshy part of the arm. Eyelets 96 may be provided on the bar 84, for threading the various cords or cables.

The upper end of the bar 84 is threaded for engagement by a ball 97, in a socket 98, carrying a disk lock 99, provided with a pin 100, arranged for engagement by the paddle 80 in operating the lock 99. Onto the socket 98 is fitted a cap 101 having an externally threaded portion 102 extending throughthe floor 65 of the cage 66, and engaged by a lock nut 103.

The cage.

The co-operating parts of the arm and hand, as hereinbeforedescribed, are supported from a cage 66, consisting of an arcuate shoulder rest` 104, adapted to be appended to the shoulder by a strap 105, encircling the upper part of the body. This strap is riveted to one end of the rest, and temporarily fastened at its free -end by a buckle 106.

The arcuate rest 104 is provided with a central ange 107, through which a plurality of curved rods 108 may operate and onto which a plurality of curved rods 109 may be ixedly secured. These last named rods 109 are preferably liexibly joined to have `To the` ends of these rods 108 and 109,

which are threaded, is adjustably secured by nuts :112, a floor 65, in'whichthe various yoperating devices for controlling the cords,

as herein already detailed, are mounted.

When the shoulder rest is rmly attached to. the shoulder, it is capable of no other movementthan' that given by the movement of thefshoulder; The floor, however, and the connecting rods 108 and 109, may move relatively to the rest and with the stump, thus doing away withy a rigid, immovable enclosure for the maimed member, thus affording comfort, ease and flexibility to the wearer, in addition to perfect ventilation.

The leather band 82, referred to, extends through a slot 113 in said floor 65 and operates over ay roller 1111.

The covering 95 for thehumerus is fastened in any convenient manner to the floor 65, and it will be apparent that no mechanism, weight ory strain is carried by the arm coverings, and that the radius and humerus are independently movable relatively to the coverings.

Itwill be obvious from the foregoing, that all of the co-operating units of the assembled artificial. limb may be socontrolled by the-wearer that perfect relaxation of them is at all times possible where not used, and in respect of the use of the radius and -humerus as foundation units for an artificial arm, this invention is new and novel.

What I claim, is Y Y 1. An artificialy limb vcomprising a shoulder rest', having a fioor connected therewith and arranged for accommodation of the stump, a humerus member flexibly carried by said iioor,a radius member flexibly connected to said humerus member, a hand section flexibly connected to said radius mem.

ber, Va locking means for each of the flexible connections, a means formoving theV hand section, means on theV floor of the shoulder rest and controllable by the movement of the stump for operating said hand section, moving means and locking means, means controllable by the shoulder movementv for moving the radiusk member, and a covering for the radius and humerus member.

f2. An artificial limb comprising a `shoulder rest adapted for attachment to the upper part of the body, a plurality of-curved rods on said rest, part of which are movable relatively'to said rest and part of which are iiexibly joined intermediate their lengths, a floor adjustably secured to said rods, a humerus member carried by said floor, a radius member iexibly connected to said humerus bar, and a handv section flexibly connected to'said-radius member, with means controllable by the ystump and bothshoulders .for`

giving movement to the hand, radiusianldhumerus member.

3. An artificial arm comprising a cage, consisting of a vertical shoulder rest, a horlzontal floor, and a plurality of curved rods` joining theshoulder rest and floor, several of'said rods being capable of movement relatively to said rest, and several being flexiblyV joined intermediate.V their lengths, an,4

ing of a bar universally joined to said radius member, a form on'said'bar, a plurality of fingers pivotallyrmounted on Y said form and severally consisting of a 'plurality of phalanges pivotally joined, a plurality of relatively movable means extending through and below thepivots offeach of said phalanges, and means to operate said relatively movable means to close the phalanges.

5. An artificial limb comprising ahume-rus and radius member, a shoulder rest for the humerus member and a hand section, said hand section consisting of'a bar universally joined to said radius member, a hand form on said bar, a plurality of'ngers pivotally mountedV on said form and severally consisting of a plurality of phalanges pivotally joined, a plurality of interconnected-- and relatively movable means extending through and below the pivots of each `of said phalanges, means toV operate said phalanges, a stationary and a movable jaw on said bar,

and means to opera-te said movable j aw.V

6.v An artificial ,limb comprising a hand section consisting of aV pluralityV of phalanges, a hand form in which the phalanges are pivoted, means movable relatively to said phalangesto operate same, mechanism for operating said movable means, means to hold said phalanges in normally-open and loose position, a plurality of jaws mounted on said hand section and extending transversely thereof, andY means tormove one of said jaws relatively to the other.

7. An artificial limb comprising a plurality of lingers, severally comprising a plurality of phalanges pivotally joined, a pivotal support forthe first ofsaid-phalanges, a plurality of jaws Von said support, and

means for moving said phalanges 'simulta-I jaws. V Y

8. An articial hand comprising a plurality of fingers severally comprising a plurality of phalanges pivotally joined, anpivotal support for the rst of said phalanges, means to hold said phalanges in normally open position, aplurality off hinged jaws, operating meansjfor one of said jaws, and

neously or independently of one of the said a single means for simultaneously and independently controlling the operating means for the phalan es and jaw.

9, An artificial limb comprising a shoulder rest, a humerus section universally joined to said rest, a control for said universal oint, a radius section pivotally oined to said humerus section, an operating means for said radius section, a hand section carried by Said radius section and movable relatively thereto, means controllable by the movement of the stump to move said hand section, means to lock said hand section in moved position, means controllable by a movement of the stump for operating said lock, a plurality of finger oints on the hand section, means to operate the fingers, and means controllable by the movement of the shoulder for operating the finger operating means. 4

10. An artificial limb comprising a hand section consisting of a hand form, a plurality of phalanges pivoted in said form and pivotally joined, means extending loosely through said phalanges to operate same, a rod on which all of said phalanges are pivoted, a plurality of jaws in said hand form, and a single means to operate one of said jaws relatively to the other, and to operate said phalanges.

11. An artificial limb comprisingL a flexibly jointed member representing the bony structure of the natural arm, a hand section joined to said member, a shoulder support for said member, and a covering loosely supported and carried by said member, said member being capable of rotary movement relatively to said covering.

12. An artificial limb consisting of a flexibly jointed member representing the bony structure of the natural arm, and including an upper arm section and a lower arm section, a hand section joined to said member, means to make all the jointed sections relatively rigid, and means to operate the jointed units simultaneously or independently.

13. An artificial limb consisting of a central bar, a plurality of cover supporting members arranged on said bar and loosely engaging the same, and a cover secured to said members, said bar being rotatable relative to said cover.

14. An artificial limb consisting of a central bar, a plurality of cover supporting members arranged on said bar, each of said members comprising an inner and an outer ring connected by spokes, the inner rings of said members loosely engaging said bar, and a covering secured to the outer rings.

15. In an artificial arm, a cage, a bar supported therefrom, and comprising two portions pivotally connected, a cord attached to the lower portion of said bar for moving the same Irelative to the upper portion, said cord extending upwardly to said cage, means a hand member, a plurality of phalanges connected thereto, a ball and socket connection between said bar and hand member, means operable from the cage for rotating the hand member relative to said bar, and other means also operable from the cage for moving said phalanges and for locking said hand member against movement.

18. In an artificial limb, a hand having a series of' phalanges pivotally attached thereto, a fixed and movable jaw arranged in the palm of the hand, means for operating said phalanges including a lever, moans for operating said movable jaw also including a lever, a flexible cord connected at its ends to said levers, a second cord slidably connected to the intermediate portion of said first named cord, and means for operating said last named cordN 19. In an artificial limb, a hand member having a plurality of phalanges pivotally connected thereto, a fixed and movable jaw on said hand member, and means for moving said movable jaw and said phalanges.

20. An artificial arm comprising a cage adapted to be supported on the shoulder of the wearer, a jointed arm member supported from said cage, a plurality of' paddles mounted on said cage in position to be operated by the stump of an arm, and a plurality of cables connected to said paddles and to parts of said jointed arm member for operating the same.

21. An artificial arm comprising a cage adapted to be supported on the shoulder of the wearer, a jointed arm member supported from said cage, locking means between parts of said jointed arm member, a plurality of paddles mounted on said cage, and cables connected to said paddles and to said locking means for controlling the latter.

22. An artificial arm comprising a cage adapted to be supported on the shoulder of the wearer, a jointed arm member supported from the cage and including an upper arm section and a lower arm section, a flexible member connected to said last named section and extending upwardly to said cage, whereby said lower section may be moved relative to the upper section, lock ingwmeansibetxveen-saidsections, -a paddle supportedon said cage 4in position to .be fmoved by thestumpvof anarm, and means operated by movement of said Cable for controlling said looking means.

&3. An artificial arm comprising a cage adapted to-be supported .on the shoulder of thewvearer, a jointed arm member c0n .nested to said cage said member ineluding a :hand section rotatable about its longitudinal axisland having a lplurality of pivotally1-conneoted fingen elementsE a iiexible anember connected. to Said .hand section for simultaneously moving' said linger elements to'v close the ,lia-nd, said flexible member-extending.upwardlyto said cage, atseeond Aiexible. member. extending from said hand section to i said, .cage for `rotating ,said hand section, and .a paddle on said cage tofvv'hieh said last named flexible member -is eonneoted. 24. In v.an artlfieial,r arm, a cage having a substantially horizontal floor, a .jointed arm member suppolted from :said1 ioor, paddles pivot-ally mounted ony said iloor `.and cables .extending downwardlv therefromand ,con-

neoted to pants of `Said jointed ,arm member for .operating the same.

In testimonyavhereof I have set my hand in thepresen' ce of two witnesses. 

